Officer pleads guilty to shooting dog

HENDERSON, Nev. - A corrections officer who shot a neighbor's dog has pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing the animal.

John F. Stroz appeared in Henderson Justice Court Monday. He was ordered to serve 400 hours of community service at an animal shelter, and also must settle with the dog's owner.

Rosie, a border collie owned by Judy Burns, 49, was shot Nov. 22 as Stroz walked his terrier. Stroz claimed Rosie had attacked him several times in the past, and was running without a leash near his home in Henderson.

Henderson police have no record of any previous complaints about the dog.

Stroz said he pulled a handgun and fired as Burns pleaded for him not to shoot.

Stroz apologized in his court hearing Monday.

Stroz said at the time he shot Rosie because he feared the dog would hurt him or his terrier.